The proposed Constitution and Bylaws before the General Assembly are the result of an intentional, prayerful, and collaborative journey. Across many months, leaders from throughout the Church of God gathered in listening sessions, spent hours in discussion, wrestled through difficult questions, and sought the wisdom of the Holy Spirit together. Every effort was made to hear diverse perspectives, honor our shared heritage, and discern what a healthy structure will best position the Church of God for continued faithful ministry in the years ahead.
These proposed bylaws are not the product of a single committee or individual. They represent a sincere desire to listen well, pray deeply, and build trust across our movement. Throughout the process, one central question guided the work of the Structure and Polity Task Force:
How can we organize ourselves in a way that enables the Church of God to be more effective in joining Jesus in His mission? We strived to remain focused on the mission of our movement.
Furthermore, we recognize that bylaws do not create mission or generate partnerships. This change in structure is to clarify responsibility, strengthen accountability, and create a healthier way to make decisions. We trust that this structure will allow more people to participate in ministry while enabling Church of God Ministries to make timely, wise, and mission-focused decisions. We humbly submit this entire process to the General Assembly.
The current governing documents often blur the lines between oversight and operational leadership, creating uncertainty about authority and responsibility. The proposed bylaws establish clear organizational roles:
Its responsibilities include:
These responsibilities preserve the Assembly’s voice in the movement’s most important matters while allowing operational leadership to function effectively between Assembly meetings.
Rather than dispersing executive authority among multiple governing bodies, the General Director is entrusted with full responsibility over staff, ministries, and organizational operations.
This authority is balanced by meaningful accountability:
This model creates both decisive leadership and healthy accountability.
Instead of becoming involved in daily operational decisions, the Board focuses on:
Our research found that this model reflects best practices used by many healthy nonprofit and ministry organizations similar in size and function of Church of God Ministries.
These ministry outcomes describe why Church of God Ministries exists and what it seeks to accomplish in areas such as:
The Structure and Polity Team worked hard at keeping the structure centered on our mission as the Church of God Movement.
Who is responsible for what? This has been very frustrating in the past for Church of God Ministries, Committees, Ministries Council, and staff.
By clearly assigning authority:
Because responsibilities are clearly defined, the General Director can be evaluated fairly and receive feedback appropriately based on these objectives.
This can create an unhealthy tension which takes us away from the mission of the movement.
The proposed bylaws simplify decision-making while preserving important checks and balances.
This allows Church of God Ministries to:
The goal was not simply to make decisions faster, but to make better decisions with greater clarity and responsibility.
No. They seek to ensure that responsibilities do not consume the energy that should be devoted to ministry. Much like the local church, we don’t want people tied down to committees, bylaws, and meetings while sidelining ministry.
We asked ourselves, “can we create a structure that will allow ministry leaders to lead? Can a structure free pastors, churches, regional leaders, missionaries, and volunteers to invest more fully in disciple-making, church health, multiplication, and mission?”
We want our structure to support the ministry, not replace it.
We believe these provisions will promote trust, integrity, and long-term organizational health.
They are an effort to create a structure that reflects biblical stewardship, organizational clarity, and a shared commitment to the mission of Jesus Christ lived out through Church of God Ministries.
The proposed bylaws seek to preserve what is essential—the theological authority of the General Assembly and the identity of the Church of God—while strengthening the organization’s ability to lead faithfully in a rapidly changing ministry landscape.
At the heart of each member of the Structure and Polity Team was to create a healthier movement: one where authority is clearly defined, accountability is strengthened, leadership is empowered to serve effectively, and the entire Church of God Movement is better positioned to join Jesus in His mission of making disciples and advancing the Kingdom of God. We humbly submit the Constitution and Bylaws to the General Assembly of the Church of God. Thank you for the opportunity to serve in this capacity.
Please watch our social media feeds and/or return to this page to view upcoming podcast-type Task Force Chats designed to clearly explain the why’s and how’s of the proposed changes.
Structure & Polity Task Force co-chair Eric Livingston and team members Jake Zaske and Jessica Hall frame their work within the context of the Movement and its history.
Structure & Polity Task Force co-chair Eric Livingston and team member Jake Zaske discuss how these changes will position the Movement to be organizationally healthy and missionally effective.
Structure & Polity Task Force co-chair Eric Livingston and team members Carron Odokara and Bob Moss answer the most-asked questions surrounding this work.
A recording of each Town Hall will be archived here.
Please join us in praying for the Holy Spirit’s guidance as we follow Jesus in His mission.
The General Assembly will meet virtually September 28 at 4:30 PM ET (3:30 CT, 2:30 MT, 1:30 PT). All are invited to attend, but only members of the General Assembly may cast a vote. Registration is required for all attendees, regardless of voting eligibility.
* * * REGISTRATION CLOSES SEPTEMBER 21 * * *
Regarding Absentee Ballots: If you are unable to join the live virtual meeting on September 28, an absentee ballot may be requested. The deadline to request an absentee ballot is September 8, 2026. Requests should be submitted to GeneralAssembly@chog.org
Looking for updates about the General Director Search?
Please reach out to us at GAchair@chog.org. We’re happy to process your questions with you.
